Engineered t cells take on childhood liver cancer in first human test

NCT ID NCT02932956

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Baylor College of Medicine Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This early-phase trial tests a new experimental treatment called GAP T cells in children and young adults with liver cancer that has come back or not responded to standard therapy. The cells are made from the patient's own immune T cells, which are genetically modified to recognize and attack a protein (GPC3) found on the cancer cells. The main goals are to find a safe dose and to see how long the cells last in the body.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: GAP T cells (genetically modified immune cells) plus chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide and fludarabine)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new treatment option for children with hard-to-treat liver cancer.
What could go wrong: This is a very early, small Phase 1 trial (only 10 participants) focused on safety, not effectiveness. The cells may not last or control the cancer, and side effects like cytokine release syndrome are possible.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

hepatocellular carcinoma liver cancer Liver Neoplasms

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

LIVER CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Texas Children's Hospital

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

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